GMW Ora now Australia’s cheapest EV

Australia’s most affordable EV has been discounted by thousands of dollars, making it less expensive than some similarly sized petrol cars.

GWM’s Ora is the cheapest EV in Australia.

The fight to sell Australia’s cheapest electric car has taken a new turn.

Having watched arch rivals MG and BYD go blow-for-blow with models such as the MG4 and BYD Dolphin, Great Wall Motors has joined the fray with a knockout price.

GWM’s Ora is available for less than $40,000 drive-away.

The GWM Ora electric hatchback is Australia’s cheapest car, at least until March 31.

The Chinese brand has cut the drive-away price of 2023-plate Ora models by $4000, undercutting its rivals.

“There are some excellent deals on 2023-plated GWM vehicles at the moment, with discounts of up to $4000 off selected models,” says a GWM spokesman.

“The GWM Ora EV is one of those models, providing buyers the chance to get into a stylish, safe and highly-capable EV at an incredibly attractive price.”

The car now costs $37,044 drive-away in NSW, undercutting the BYD Dolphin ($41,190) and MG4 Electric ($41,736) by more than $4000.

The BYD Dolphin was – until recently – the cheapest EV on sale. Photo: Thomas Wielecki

Prices vary from state to state.

The discounted Ora’s drive-away price ranges from $36,638 in the ACT to $39,003 in Western Australia. It costs $36,656 in the NT, $37,550 in Queensland, $38,230 in South Australia and $38,247 in Tasmania. The price is even more attractive for buyers in Queensland, who can claim rebates of up to $6000 on the car.

The GWM Ora is a relatively rare sight on the road.

Electric vehicle prices are falling as competition heats up. In 2022, the cheapest models – MG’s ZS EV and the BYD Atto 3 – cost about $45,000 drive-away.

This GWM costs a little more than half the asking price of Australia’s most popular EV, the Tesla Model Y, which starts from about $71,000 drive-away.

Tesla’s Model Y is Australia’s most popular EV. Photo: Mark Bean.

GWM’s modest hatchback delivers 310 kilometres of range from a 48kWh battery.

Key interior features include a 10.25-inch display with Apple CarPlay.

Buyers who want more can plump for extended range models with a 63kWh battery delivering up to 420 kilometres of range for about $43,000 drive-away.

Inside the GWM Ora.

The luxury Ora Ultra with massaging seats, panoramic sunroof and powered tailgate is about $46,000 drive-away and sporty Ora GT models with a performance-inspired body kit and red brake calipers are about $49,000 drive-away.

The model is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, along with five years of roadside assistance and capped price servicing.